13-Day Kayak Peru: From The Andes to The Amazon

Vilcanota River White-Water Kayaking :

The Upper Rio Urubamba, also known as the Rio Vilcanota is the perfect place to practice whitewater kayaking.

The sections we usually run are located above Cusco, where the river is cleaner and more fun. The precise section is chosen on the day by our experienced guides, depending upon conditions and the group. Rapids range from Class II to IV. There are plenty of eddies to make, waves to surf, and rapids can be inspected/portaged if required.

It takes about one and a half hours to drive to the river and on arrival, we prepare the kayaks and provide a full safety briefing and instruction in safe kayaking practices. We then set off for approximately two to three hours of fun whitewater kayaking, making the most of the gentle start to practice our technique.

The river then flows through a beautiful canyon, filled with fun rapids, torrent ducks, and views of the surrounding peaks. The perfect place to experience whitewater kayaking in the Andes.

Finally, we reach our take-out point and enjoy a full picnic lunch before returning to your hotel mid to late afternoon.

Picnic lunch

Overnight in Cusco

Included:  private transfer to and from the river, English-speaking Swift water certified guide, all safety equipment, lunch, room & breakfast next day

Kayak Expedition to Manu :

 This morning we load up the kayaks and camping kit for an epic drive toward Manu National park and the Amazon basin.

Driving high into the Andes, we pass the small village of Paucartambo which every July host a huge Virgen de Carmen festival.

We climb to Ajanacco and turn off on a dirt road to our spectacular campsite tonight called Tres Cruces, a viewpoint overlooking the Amazon rainforest perched high on the final ridge between the Andes and the Cloud forest.

Overnight at campsite

Included:  private transfer, snacks & water, breakfast, lunch, dinner, all white-water & safety equipment, camping equipment (except sleeping bag), Swift Water Rescue trained English speaking guide

Whitewater Kayak the Tono River:

A spectacular sunrise awaits us today if the weather gods are kind to us. At certain times of the year the light refraction off the amazon basin, as the sun rises, makes it as if the sun actually wobbles as it climbs into the sky. A very unusual and unique sight.

We then begin our descent into the rainforest, through the virgin cloud forest, hopefully glimpsing woolly monkeys and Peru’s national bird the “Cock of the rock”.

Further, into the jungle, we take a dirt track to the start of our first jungle river, the Rio Tono.

After lunch at the put-in, we start the descent, with plenty of time to eddy hop and scout each rapid. The warm, clean water makes it perfect for practicing whitewater moves.

The river gains volume as tributary after tributary joins us. Below Pilcopata, the river doubles in size as the Rio Kosnipata joins and we experience big eddies, surf waves, and boils.

The river enters a beautiful jungle “pongo” – a canyon of lush rainforest and fun rapids. Our adventure ends at the small port of Atalaya where we set up camp for the night.

Overnight on the Tono River

Included:  private transfer, snacks & water, breakfast, lunch, dinner, all white-water & safety equipment, camping equipment (except sleeping bag), Swift Water Rescue trained English speaking guide

Return to Cusco : 

Today we head back to Cusco to prepare for our next adventure. This all-day drive is long but beautiful and hopefully, we’ll glimpse some wildlife along the route. Keep your eyes peeled for Paddington bear – the very rare Andean spectacled bear has been sighted along this route.

On arrival in Cusco, we check into our hotel for the night.

Overnight in Cusco

Included:  snacks & water, lunch, all white-water & safety equipment, breakfast, Swift Water Rescue trained English speaking guide, transport, room, breakfast the next day. 

Enjoy a free day in Cusco for some rest and recuperation. Whether your interest is exploring Inca ruins, visiting Colonial churches, bargain hunting in artisan markets, chocolate museums or just relaxing over a cappuccino on a terrace overlooking the Plaza de Armas, Cusco has it all.

OPTIONAL: Discover Machu Picchu in a Day:

If you are short of time but would still like to visit the legendary “Lost City of the Incas”, it is possible to visit this amazing archaeological site in one day. A bus transfer takes you to the train station where you take the early morning train to Machu Picchu. The journey follows the impressive Urubamba river to the base of Machu Picchu itself.

Your private English-speaking guide escorts you for the short bus ride direct to the ruins. Once there, you can enjoy an extensive walking tour of the ruins and a full explanation of this fascinating site. If time permits you can explore further to the Inca Bridge, Watchman’s hut, or try the strenuous climb to the sun gate – Inti Punku. Alternatively, you may prefer to just relax and take it all in.

After a full day to explore the site, you descend to the waiting train to enjoy one of the great train journeys of the world back along the Sacred Valley.

Machu Picchu Entrance from 1100 to 1500.

Lunch at Indio Feliz

Overnight in Cusco

Included:  room & breakfast next day, transport, English-speaking expert guide, train ticket, entrance fees, bus ticket, Machu Picchu entrance, lunch

Paddle the Apurimac : 

The day starts early with a scenic drive to the Apurimac Canyon, a canyon twice as deep as the Grand Canyon. En-route you will have a view of the snow-capped Vilcanota mountain range before descending into the canyon to our starting point on the banks of the Apurimac Rimac

Upon arrival to the put-in we inflate our specialized gear rafts, load up with provisions and, following a full safety talk and instruction in the art of expedition white water kayaking, we head off into the canyon in search of adventure.

The river starts gently but soon we drop into a spectacular gorge and the rapids start to pick up but are mainly class 3 and 3+. There is one short portage today around a class V rapid, as well as the chance to kayak past amazing Inca terraces before arriving to our favorite beach with a campfire

Paddle the Apurimac: 

More great Peruvian kayaking today. Depending on water levels there may be an odd portage or inspection between the fun rapids. There are also stretches to just sit and float down the river and enjoy being in this fantastic location.

Keep an eye out as you go for Andean Foxes, Torrent Ducks, otters, and even Condors.

At night we pick another vast deserted sandy beach and set up camp to enjoy great food, a few drinks, and great camaraderie around the campfire.

Overnight on the Apurimac River

Included:  private transfer, snacks & water, breakfast, lunch, dinner, all white-water & safety equipment, camping equipment (except sleeping bag), Swift Water Rescue trained English speaking guide

Paddle Black Canyon : 

Today we continue down the Black Canyon of the Apurimac. There are more classic class 3- 4+ rapids with plenty of time to scout the more exciting ones like “Ed Shearon”

We have the opportunity to explore some side canyons, hiking up creeks to waterfalls.

Overnight on the Apurimac River

Included:  private transfer, snacks & water, breakfast, lunch, dinner, all white-water & safety equipment, camping equipment (except sleeping bag), Swift Water Rescue trained English speaking guide

Granite Canyon: 

Today you’ll enter the Granite Canyon of the Apurimac, passing under the Huallpachaca bridge. You’ll start with grade II and III rapids, excellent training for the more exciting rapids coming up.

Stopping to scout and portage 1 or maybe 2 rapids that are commercially unrunnable, you will still have plenty of great kayaking all day. Rapids like Space Odyssey, the Gates of Purgatory, and Tres Maria will push you to our limits.

Overnight on the Apurimac River

Included:  private transfer, snacks & water, breakfast, lunch, dinner, all white-water & safety equipment, camping equipment (except sleeping bag), Swift Water Rescue trained English speaking guide

Paddle The Apurimac :

Today the fun really picks up. After a delicious breakfast on the beach, you pack everything away and set off once more. You work together with your guide and other kayakers to steer a safe course through the huge boulders that line this river.

Rapids such as Trident and Batman’s cave will really test your skills. There are even a few portages when the only way down is to get out and walk around a particularly fierce rapid. The Apurimac was a sacred river to the Incas and thought to be a source of great wisdom. 500 years later it is still a river to be treated with the utmost respect.

By now you will be experts and rapids such as Babalua and Last Laugh that would once have seemed daunting are now just pure adrenaline pulsing fun. Finally, you reach a break in the canyon walls and from here you take the beautiful drive past the Salkantay mountain range back to your hotel for the night.

Overnight in Cusco

Included:  private transfer, snacks & water, lunch, all white-water & safety equipment, Swift Water Rescue trained English speaking guide, room, and breakfast the next day

Today if you have time you can either add a Machu Picchu tour, E-bike adventure, mountain bike ride, or return home.

At the appropriate hour, we will privately transfer you from your Cusco hotel to the Cusco airport.

Included: Private transport